DOVER — St. John’s Methodist Church, Dover, invites you and your pet to its “Blessing of the Animals” service Sunday, October 6 at 3 p.m. The service will be held on the lawn next to the Good Earth Garden.

Everyone is invited to bring their pet(s) to be blessed by the pastor and given a small treat. Please be sure your pet is leashed or otherwise under control.

If for any reason you cannot bring your pet to the church, please bring a photo of the pet and the pastor will perform the blessing with the photo.

Any offering received at the service will go to the Cocheco Valley Humane Society.

For more information, please call the church office at 742-3046 or visit the church website at www.stjohnsdover.org. St. John’s Methodist is located at 28 Cataract Avenue, Dover.

PORTSMOUTH — On Sunday, Oct. 6, children and adults are invited to celebrate God’s creation through a special “Blessing of the Animals” service at Portsmouth’s Christ Episcopal Church.

At 12:00 noon that day, the Episcopal parish, located at 1035 Lafayette Rd., invites those who have cats or dogs, hamsters, gerbils, fish, rabbits or birds to bring their animals to the church to receive God’s blessing. More exotic species, such as snakes, turtles, or lizards, are also welcome, as long as they are caged for their own as well as the congregation’s safety.

DOVER — St. John’s United Methodist Church will be sponsoring a free stress management series at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Dover in the DF Richard Energy Room. All are welcome.

Dates and topics include the following: October 23- Healing Touch for relaxation, and November 20- energy techniques to help yourself and others. Meetings are from 7-9pm.

The first hour will include information and an opportunity to experience the topic of the evening. During the second hour members of the healing ministry team will be available to provide Healing Touch.